Chapter 226: Unexpected Individuals

Wang Qian felt that it might be due to growing in the virtual space that the peaches possessed a unique fragrance and sweetness that couldn’t be found in those grown on the mountainside. Regardless, as long as her family liked them, that was all that mattered. It was a pity that several elderly gentlemen had left already; otherwise, they could have personally tasted the fruit she had grown.

Towards the end of the year, several of the elderly gentlemen gradually sent letters, sharing their respective situations upon returning home. However, in the letters from Zuo Zhanshan and Wu Changyong, there was a hint of indescribable melancholy.

After reading the letters, Old Chen was somewhat incredulous. “How come these two old fellas seem off in their tone? Wasn’t returning to the troops their long-awaited dream? Why can’t I sense a bit of excitement in their letters? Could something have happened again?”

Zhang Lan and the others received the letters and felt the same as Old Chen. The contents of the letters were somewhat oppressive.

“Uncle Chen, as you said, we didn’t sense their excitement either. There’s probably something they can’t express,” Zhang Lan agreed.

Just then, the small broadcast on the wall began again, roughly encouraging community members to actively purchase ‘patriotic’ prawns.

Wang Qian was a bit puzzled. How was patriotism related to prawns?

“Mom, what’s going on? Why are we being asked to buy prawns?” she asked.

Wang Zhenhe had heard about this and explained, “Daughter, today, the prawns exported by our city’s fisheries department didn’t sell at all because the other party tore up the contract. We can’t just let all those prawns rot in the freezer. This is encouraging us to buy them to support the country’s development.”

So that’s what it was. Knowing about ‘patriotic’ prawns, Wang Qian was concerned. Their local prawns were renowned, and if this were in the future, they would sell for a considerable sum. You might not even be able to buy genuine ones. The prawns they had now were all locally bred, brought up from the deep sea, and were completely authentic.

Zhang Lan noticed a peculiar glint in her young daughter’s eyes and wondered what she was scheming. It seemed she might have some dubious idea.

“Mom, why don’t we buy some ‘patriotic’ prawns? They’re said to be very nutritious. Besides, we can sun-dry some prawns to send to Uncle and the elderly gentlemen. Just think, they are so far away, they might not have the chance to taste them. These prawns are our local specialty after all,” Wang Qian suggested with a bright smile, looking at her parents.

Observing her daughter’s spirited look, Zhang Lan realized that there was a deeper meaning behind her suggestion. She knew that her daughter wouldn’t spend money on something unnecessary unless there was a purpose.

“Mom, remember to buy some more tomorrow. Let’s taste them, cook and sun-dry them, and send some to Uncle. Let’s also send some to the leaders and colleagues in the army for them to taste the specialty from our northern region,” Wang Qian continued.

At this point, if Zhang Lan still didn’t understand her daughter’s intention, she might as well have been an ignorant mother. She embraced her daughter tenderly. “You little rascal, Mom understands what you’re up to. I’ll go and buy them tomorrow.”

With the financial authority and her daughter’s enthusiasm, there were no objections from Wang Zhenhe, nor from the consent-giving wife. Old Chen simply smiled as he watched the mother and daughter.

“Qianqian, it’s a good idea. Your uncle has been in the army for a long time. It’s time for a change. I hope these prawns will make a difference,” Old Chen remarked.

True to her daughter’s instructions, the next day Zhang Lan bought a considerable amount of ‘patriotic’ prawns from the cooperative. Upon learning the price, Wang Qian was a bit dismayed. Two yuan per pound was quite expensive. However, it was considerably cheaper than in the future, even cheaper than vegetables. Nevertheless, in order to give Comrade Zhang Weiguo a chance to shine, she was willing to pay the price, even if it meant money.

When Mingcheng and Wang Xuan returned on the weekend, they were greeted by a strong, delightful fragrance at home. Although they cooked for themselves, the siblings were quite frugal. They understood their parents’ hardships and refrained from buying unnecessary items. They mostly ate vegetables, pickles, and eggs brought from home. Despite this, their conditions at school were considered better, as they received food and oil from home, without having to spend money or worry about scrimping.

“Wow, Mom, what did you make? It smells amazing as soon as you walk in,” Wang Xuan exclaimed upon entering.

Seeing her children, Zhang Lan hurriedly got up and brought out the cooked prawns. “Here, try them. You’ve never had these before. Today, we’re eating something foreigners eat.”

“Prawns?” Wang Xuan had seen this item in the city, but it was quite expensive, so they had never bought it. Today, her mother had actually bought some for them to eat.

“Mom, did you find some money?” The siblings asked together, looking at Zhang Lan.

Zhang Lan chuckled at her children’s question. “Where would I find money at home all day? This was bought at your sister’s request. She said we should try it. After all, we live near the coast. You shouldn’t be clueless about the taste of prawns. You two eat first. Your sister will be back from school soon.”

In the evening, Zhang Lan sun-dried the shelled prawns in the yard, as there were fewer flies at that time.

At dinner, Wang Qian finally tasted the renowned prawns. They were so fresh. She realized that in the future, such fresh prawns would be hard to find due to seawater pollution and overfishing. The taste was almost bland, devoid of the typical shrimp flavor.

Before the year-end, Zhang Lan sent a good amount of prawn meat and honey to her brother, as well as to Old Chen and Zuo He.

As the year-end approached, Wang Zhenhe was considering slaughtering a pig, but to his surprise, a young man appeared at the entrance of the Wang family’s house. He looked about eighteen years old, with a neat crew cut and a well-proportioned figure, albeit slightly frail. He was dressed in a cotton jumpsuit, carrying a dusty travel bag.

Seeing Wang Zhenhe in the courtyard, the young man hesitantly asked, “Uncle, I’m looking for someone. Is this Wang Zhenhe’s house?”

This was the first time Wang Zhenhe had seen the young man and he didn’t know how he knew his name. Nonetheless, he nodded.

“Does Chen Minghai live here?”

Wang Zhenhe, after carefully observing the young man, ventured a bold guess, “You’re Chen Xu, right?”

The young man smiled warmly, a very pleasant smile. “Yes, that’s me. Is my grandpa here?”

“Yes, yes, come in. Your grandpa is inside, practicing calligraphy. Uncle Chen, come out and see who’s here,” Wang Zhenhe called out to the elderly man’s room, taking the young man’s luggage.

Startled by Wang Zhenhe’s call, Zhang Lan and the children, who were shelling corn on the kang, hurriedly went outside to see who had arrived.

Seeing the young man, Wang Qian’s face lit up. He resembled the man in the picture that Old Chen had brought. “Hello, Brother Chen,” she greeted warmly.

Chen Xu was surprised by the sudden appearance of so many people. Old Chen rushed over like a gust of wind and embraced Chen Xu tightly, tears streaming down his face.

“Grandpa, I finally get to see you,” the grandfather and grandson began to weep profusely in the yard.

Zhang Lan wiped her tears and suggested, “Let’s not stand in the yard. This child has come a long way. Let Chen Xu rest inside.”

“You see how scatterbrained I am. Xu, go inside with your grandpa. His room is warm,” Wang Zhenhe said, leading the grandfather and grandson into their room.

Zhang Lan asked Wang Xuan to take some fruits and snacks to the grandfather and grandson.

As the New Year approached, Wang Zhenhe took out the fruits from the space, using the excuse that they were purchased from the city. However, he only selected the seasonal fruits, as he was genuinely hesitant to bring out out-of-season fruits. He preferred to enjoy them himself in the virtual space.

Chen Xu followed his grandfather into the room, where a wave of warmth greeted him. The temperature inside was noticeably cozy.

“Grandpa, you’re really living the good life. It’s so much better than back home. Look how warm this room is, and it’s spacious, with nice furniture. I’m starting to envy you,” Chen Xu exclaimed.

In Chen Xu’s memory, the Wang family’s living conditions were supposed to be quite impoverished. However, the sight before his eyes told a different story. Apart from other things, just looking at the cabinet in his grandfather’s room, it was not only stylish but practical, much better arranged and brighter than their own house.

He had initially assumed that his grandfather lived in a dirty and dilapidated place, struggling to make ends meet. However, seeing his grandfather’s lively spirit and radiant complexion, he didn’t seem like someone who had experienced hard labor, but rather someone who had retired.

Seeing his grandson’s puzzled expression, Chen Minghai couldn’t help but smile. “Chen Xu, are you surprised? Honestly, it feels like a dream. Without your Uncle Wang’s family, I might have starved to death long ago. I wouldn’t have been living so comfortably.”

Old Chen explained his situation to his grandson. “Xu, do you think I must have burned incense in my past life to have the good fortune to meet them and reunite with you? By the way, how did you come here? Did your parents agree?”

Chen Minghai was genuinely concerned. His son had drawn a line, and he couldn’t bear to think of the consequences if his grandson had come without permission. It wouldn’t just be a simple scolding; he worried about his grandson being further alienated, even disowned by his parents. He was already in this predicament, and he couldn’t involve others. The consequences would be severe.

Understanding his grandfather’s worries, Chen Xu self-deprecatingly chuckled, “Grandpa, I didn’t sneak away. I came here as part of the ‘Up to the Mountains and Down to the Countryside Movement’ for further revolutionary education. They both know about it, but they didn’t agree with me coming to see you. However, I couldn’t just leave you here alone. I couldn’t do what my parents did. Since I’m here, let’s depend on each other, Grandpa.”

Chen Xu could still recall the scene of his parents scolding him harshly before he left. Sighing, he thought about his grandfather. Was his grandfather a monster just because others said so? He refused to believe that about his grandfather.

The passage ends with acknowledgments and gratitude to various friends for their support and encouragement.